Minister to ban under-16s from social media in Australia

News Update

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans Thursday for a significant policy that would ban children under 16 from using social media. The government, which views this measure as a global first, intends to roll out legislation on the matter later this year.

To enforce the ban, Australia is testing an age-verification system aimed at keeping underage users off social media platforms. This policy could take effect as soon as late next year, depending on the legislative timeline.

‘Doing Harm To Our Kids’

“Social media is doing harm to our kids and I’m calling time on it,” Albanese stated at a press conference. Emphasising the need for protection, he told VG newspaper that children face a battle against content that can negatively impact their health. “It sends quite a strong signal. Children must be protected from harmful content on social media. These are powerful tech giants pitted against the brains of small children,” he said, highlighting the risks of harmful content, especially content promoting unhealthy body standards for girls and misogyny for boys.

Albanese explained that the excessive use of social media is particularly concerning for young teens who are already navigating challenging developmental stages. “If you’re a 14-year-old kid getting this stuff, at a time where you’re going through life’s changes and maturing, it can be a really difficult time and what we’re doing is listening and then acting,” he said.

What Will Social Media Platforms Have To Do?

If passed, the legislation will give social media platforms the responsibility to enforce age restrictions, removing the burden from parents and minors themselves. Notably, the ban will have no exceptions, even for children with parental consent or pre-existing accounts.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland indicated that major platforms such as Meta’s Instagram and Facebook, Bytedance’s TikTok, Elon Musk’s X, and Alphabet’s YouTube would likely be covered under the ban. Although TikTok declined to comment, other platforms have not yet responded.

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Have Other Countries Taken A Similar Step?

Australia’s proposal aligns with a global trend toward regulating social media use among young people.

While countries like France have suggested bans for those under 15 with parental consent exceptions, and the United States requires consent for children under 13, Australia’s approach is shaping up to be one of the strictest in the world.

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